Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program which allow for correct recognition of a connected electronic device. A reader/writer  33 - 1  is placed near a left vertical side  2 - 1  of four sides of an input display unit  2 . A mobile phone  11  includes an RF tag. When the mobile phone  11  is placed adjacent to the reader/writer  33 - 1 , the reader/writer  33 - 1  detects the RF tag to detect that the mobile phone  11  is adjacent thereto. An icon  111  of the mobile phone  11  is displayed on the input display unit  2  in a moving manner so that portions of the icon  111  appear step-by-step from the side  2 - 1  and finally the entirety appears. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processingapparatus and method, and a recording medium, and particularly to aninformation processing apparatus and method, and recording medium whichallow for reliable recognition of an electronic device ready forcommunication.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, the popularity of portable devices such as mobilephones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) has rapidly increased. Asa result, users have increased opportunities to exchange informationbetween such portable devices.

[0003] However, it is inevitable that the portable devices include asmall display unit due to its portability. Only small characters,images, etc., can therefore be displayed on the display unit.

[0004] In one approach, characters and images stored in a portabledevice are displayed on a display unit of a desktop personal computer,etc. In general, display units of desktop personal computers are largerthan display units of portable devices, thus allowing users to viewcharacters and images more comfortably.

[0005] For example, when a mail stored in a mobile phone is transferredto a personal computer and is displayed on a display unit thereof in anenlarged manner, connecting the mobile phone to the personal computerusing a cable causes inconvenient user operation. Thus, the mobile phonemay be connected to the personal computer in a wireless manner so thatdata is wirelessly transferred.

[0006] However, in such a case that data is wirelessly transferred froma mobile phone to a personal computer, a plurality of mobile phones maysometimes make it difficult to determine from which mobile phone thedata has been transferred.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the abovesituation, and is intended to allow for reliable recognition of apartner electronic device communicating with a personal computer.

[0008] A first information processing apparatus of the present inventionincludes detection means for detecting an electronic device adjacentthereto, and display means for displaying an icon corresponding to theelectronic device with the position, color, density, or brightnesschanging over time when the detection means detects the electronicdevice adjacent thereto.

[0009] The display means can display the icon so as to shift theposition of the icon along a line towards the inside of a display unitfrom a side of the display unit.

[0010] The display means can display the icon so as to move along a lineacross the electronic device and vertical to one of the four sides ofthe display unit that is substantially rectangular, the side being theclosest to the detection means.

[0011] The information processing apparatus can further includecommunication means for setting up communication with the electronicdevice when the detection means detects the electronic device adjacentthereto, and the display means can modify display of the icon when thecommunication means sets up communication with the electronic device.

[0012] The information processing apparatus can further includeidentification means for identifying the electronic device when thedetection means detects the electronic device adjacent thereto.

[0013] The identification means can obtain identification informationfrom the electronic device to determine the device type or category ofthe electronic device based on the identification information.

[0014] The detection means can include a reader/writer whichcommunicates with an RF tag of the electronic device via electromagneticinduction, and the communication means can perform short-range wirelesscommunication with the electronic device.

[0015] A first information processing method of the present inventionincludes a detection step of detecting an adjacent electronic device,and a display step of displaying an icon corresponding to the electronicdevice with the position, color, density, or brightness changing overtime when the adjacent electronic device is detected by performing thedetection step.

[0016] A program of a first recording medium of the present invention isa program for an information processing apparatus for displaying an iconcorresponding to an electronic device on a display unit and forperforming a predetermined process with respect to the electronic deviceusing the icon, which includes a detection step of detecting anelectronic device adjacent thereto, and a display step of displaying anicon corresponding to the electronic device with the position, color,density, or brightness changing over time when the adjacent electronicdevice is detected by performing the detection step.

[0017] A second information processing apparatus of the presentinvention includes detection means for detecting an electronic deviceadjacent thereto, display means for displaying an icon corresponding tothe electronic device when the detection means detects the electronicdevice adjacent thereto, communication means for setting upcommunication with the electronic device when the detection meansdetects the electronic device adjacent thereto, and modification meansfor modifying the icon when the communication means sets upcommunication with the electronic device.

[0018] The information processing apparatus can further includeidentification means for identifying the electronic device when thedetection means detects the electronic device adjacent thereto.

[0019] The identification means can obtain identification informationfrom the electronic device to determine the device type or category ofthe electronic device based on the identification information.

[0020] The detection means can include a reader/writer whichcommunicates with an RF tag of the electronic device via electromagneticinduction, and the communication means can perform short-range wirelesscommunication with the electronic device.

[0021] A second information processing method of the present inventionincludes a detection step of detecting an adjacent electronic device, adisplay step of displaying an icon corresponding to the electronicdevice when the adjacent electronic device is detected by performing thedetection step, a communication step of setting up communication withthe electronic device when the adjacent electronic device is detected byperforming the detection step, and a modification step of modifying theicon when communication with the electronic device is set up byperforming the communication step.

[0022] A program of a second recording medium of the present inventionincludes a detection step of detecting an adjacent electronic device, adisplay step of displaying an icon relating to the electronic devicewhen the adjacent electronic device is detected by performing thedetection step, a communication step of setting up communication withthe electronic device when the adjacent electronic device is detected byperforming the detection step, and a modification step of modifying theicon when communication with the electronic device is set up byperforming the communication step.

[0023] In the first information processing apparatus and method, and aprogram recorded in the first recording medium of the present invention,an icon corresponding to an electronic device is displayed with theposition, color, density, or brightness changing over time.

[0024] In the second information processing apparatus and method, and aprogram recorded in the second recording medium of the presentinvention, a displayed icon is modified when communication is set upwith an electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example structure of aninformation processing system according to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example structure of apersonal computer shown in FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example structure of a mobilephone shown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the personal computerin the information processing system shown in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the mobile phone inthe information processing system shown in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data exchange between a mobilephone and a personal computer.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the mobile phone shownin FIG. 6.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the personal computershown in FIG. 6.

[0033]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing exchange of image data between amobile phone and a personal computer.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an icon display process in theinformation processing system shown in FIG. 1.

[0035]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating vectors.

[0036]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating vectors.

[0037]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a movingicon.

[0038]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0039]FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0040]FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0041]FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0042]FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0043]FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a movingicon.

[0044]FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0045]FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0046]FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0047]FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the display example of themoving icon.

[0048]FIG. 24A is a diagram illustrating a marker.

[0049]FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating another marker.

[0050]FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another example of icon display.

[0051]FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0052]FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0053]FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0054]FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0055]FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0056]FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating still another example of icondisplay.

[0057]FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating readers/writers arranged on aset-top box shown in FIG. 31.

[0058]FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example structure of acommunication system according to the present invention.

[0059]FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of aPDA shown in FIG. 33.

[0060]FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of acommunication module shown in FIG. 34.

[0061]FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing processing of the communicationsystem shown in FIG. 33.

[0062]FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example structure of an inputdisplay unit of a personal computer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0063]FIG. 1 illustrates an example structure of an informationprocessing system according to the present invention. In this examplestructure, a personal computer 1 includes an input display unit 2, and amain body 3 connected to the input display unit 2. The input displayunit 2 is configured so as to display required information thereon andto input the required information by operating a pen or the like (notshown) thereon.

[0064] The input display unit 2 includes a reader/writer 33, and, forexample, a mobile phone 11 is placed adjacent to the reader/writer 33 bya user, as required, thereby exchanging data between the mobile phone 11and the personal computer 1.

[0065]FIG. 2 illustrates an example structure of the personal computer1. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 executes various processesaccording to programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 or a storageunit 26. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 stores a program executed bythe CPU 21, data, and so on, if necessary. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, andthe ROM 23 are connected with one another via a bus 24. An input/outputinterface 25 is also connected with the bus 24. In addition to the inputdisplay unit 2, the storage unit 26 formed of a hard disk or the like, acommunication unit 27 for communicating with the mobile phone 11 viashort-range wireless communication, and a communication unit 28 forcommunicating with a predetermined base station in a wireless mannerover a telephone communication are also connected with the input/outputinterface 25. The short-range wireless communication of thecommunication unit 27 is, for example, Bluetooth® which allowscommunication within a range having a radius of 10 m or shorter.

[0066] The input display unit 2 includes a see-through tablet 31 forsensing a pen operated by a user, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 32placed underneath the tablet 31 for displaying characters, graphicimages, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the input display unit 2 furtherincludes a reader/writer 33 for communicating with an RF tag 72 (FIG. 3)of the mobile phone 11 at an outer peripheral portion of the LCD 32 (inthe example of FIG. 1, at the left portion).

[0067] A drive 29 is further connected to the input/output interface 25,and a magnetic disc 41, an optical disc 42, a magneto-optical disc 43, asemiconductor memory 44, or the like may be attached to the drive 29, ifnecessary. A program read from these devices, i.e., the magnetic disc 41through the semiconductor memory 44, is supplied from the drive 29 tothe storage unit 26 via the input/output interface 25.

[0068]FIG. 3 illustrates an example structure of the mobile phone 11. ACPU 61 through an input/output interface 65 basically have similarfunctions to those of the CPU 21 through the input/output interface 25of the personal computer 1 shown in FIG. 2, and a description thereof isthus omitted.

[0069] In the mobile phone 11, an input unit 66 formed of variousbuttons, switches, or the like and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 67for displaying required information are connected to the input/outputinterface 65. A storage unit 68 formed of a semiconductor memory or thelike and a communication unit 69 for performing communication over atelephone communication are also connected to the input/output interface65. A communication unit 73 for performing short-range wirelesscommunication with other electronic devices (for example, thecommunication unit 27 of the personal computer 1) is also connected tothe input/output interface 65.

[0070] A microphone 70 captures audio signals of a user, and a speaker71 outputs audio signals to the user. An RF tag 72 having an internal ICcommunicates with the reader/writer 33 of the personal computer 1 tosend an identification number of the mobile phone 11 stored therein tothe reader/writer 33. The RF tag 72 also has a function of storing datasupplied from the reader/writer 33 to an internal memory.

[0071] The operations of the personal computer 1 and the mobile phone 11are described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5,respectively. When a user desires processing such as data exchangebetween the mobile phone 11 and the personal computer 1, the user placesthe mobile phone 11 adjacent to the input display unit 2 (adjacent tothe reader/writer 33 indicated by the dotted region in FIG. 1).

[0072] The reader/writer 33 periodically sends electromagnetic waves insufficiently short intervals. When the mobile phone 11 is placedadjacent to the reader/writer 33, the reader/writer 33 and the RF tag 72of the mobile phone 11 are electromagnetically coupled to each other,thereby causing a change in equivalent impedance of a built-in antennaof the reader/writer 33. The reader/writer 33 monitors the change inimpedance to determine in step S1 of FIG. 4 whether or not the mobilephone 11 is adjacent thereto, and stands by until the mobile phone 11 isplaced adjacent thereto.

[0073] When the mobile phone 11 is placed adjacent to the reader/writer33, in step S2, the reader/writer 33 requests the mobile phone 11 tosend a network address. In this case, the network is constructed as ashort-range wireless communication network, and the reader/writer 33requests an identification number of the mobile phone 11.

[0074] In response to this request, the network address (identificationnumber) is sent from the mobile phone 11 in the way described below. Instep S3, the reader/writer 33 stands by until the network address isreceived from the mobile phone 11, and when the network address isreceived, in step S4, the reader/writer 33 supplies the received networkaddress (identification number) of the mobile phone 11 to the CPU 21.The CPU 21 supplies the identification number to the RAM 23 for storage.

[0075] Then, in step S5, the CPU 21 controls the communication unit 27to access the network address of the mobile phone 11 stored in step S4to set up a connection on the network. More specifically, thecommunication unit 27 performs an authentication process based on theidentification number stored in the RAM 23, and a Bluetooth connectionis established between the personal computer 1 and the mobile phone 11when authentication is successful.

[0076] Then, in step S6, the personal computer 1 executes predeterminedprocessing with respect to the mobile phone 11 via Bluetooth wirelesscommunication. A specific example of this processing is described below.

[0077] On the other hand, in step S11 of FIG. 5, the RF tag 72 of themobile phone 11 determines whether or not electromagnetic waves havebeen received from the reader/writer 33 of the personal computer 1(determines whether or not it is adjacent to the reader/writer 33). Ifit is determined that the mobile phone 11 is adjacent to thereader/writer 33, then in step S12, the RF tag 72 waits for a requestfor a network address. As discussed above, the reader/writer 33 of thepersonal computer 1 requests the mobile phone 11 to send a networkaddress in step S2, and, when it is determined that this transmissionrequest is received, in step S13, the RF tag 72 reads the networkaddress (in this case, identification number) of the mobile phone 11stored in the internal memory and sends it to the reader/writer 33.

[0078] The network address may also be stored in the ROM 62 or thestorage unit 68. In this case, the address read therefrom by the CPU 61is sent from the RF tag 72.

[0079] In step S14, the CPU 61 of the mobile phone 11 stands by until itis accessed from the personal computer 1 via the communication unit 73(in this case, the CPU 61 stands by until it is read via Bluetoothwireless communication).

[0080] If it is determined in step S14 that the communication unit 73 isinvoked by the communication unit 27 of the personal computer 1 viaBluetooth wireless communication, then in step S15, in response to theinvocation, the communication unit 73 sets up a connection with thepersonal computer 1 using Bluetooth wireless communication.

[0081] Then, in step S16, the mobile phone 11 executes predeterminedprocessing with respect to the personal computer 1 using Bluetoothwireless communication. This processing corresponds to the processing ofstep S6 shown in FIG. 4.

[0082] After establishing a connection via Bluetooth wirelesscommunication, communication is performed according to the Bluetoothwireless communication protocol (the reader/writer 33 and the RF tag 72does not communicate with each other). Thus, if the mobile phone 11 isdistant from the personal computer 1 by a distance of approximately 10 mor shorter (a distance which covers short-range wireless communication),the processing of step S16 shown in FIG. 5 and step S6 shown in FIG. 4can be executed.

[0083] An example of the processing executed in step S6 shown in FIG. 4and step S16 shown in FIG. 5 is further described.

[0084]FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a mail message registeredin the mobile phone 11 is displayed on the LCD 32 of the input displayunit 2 in an enlarged manner when the mobile phone 11 is adjacent to thereader/writer 33 of the input display unit 2 to set up a Bluetoothcommunication link between the mobile phone 11 and the personal computer1.

[0085] The processing of the mobile phone 11 and the personal computer 1in this case is described below with reference to the flowcharts ofFIGS. 7 and 8.

[0086] In step S71 of FIG. 7, the CPU 61 of the mobile phone 11 readsthe senders and subjects of previously received mails which are storedin the RAM 63, and, in step S72, the read mail senders and subjects aretransmitted to the personal computer 1. Specifically, the CPU 61controls the communication unit 73 to transmit them to the personalcomputer 1 via Bluetooth wireless communication.

[0087] The transmitted mail senders and subjects are displayed on theLCD 32 of the personal computer 1 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. When auser selects desired one of the displays, the selection signal istransmitted to the mobile phone 11.

[0088] Then in step S73, the CPU 61 stands by until the selected mail isinformed. When the selected mail is informed, then in step S74, the CPU61 reads the content of the selected mail from the RAM 63 and transmitsthe content to the personal computer 1 from the communication unit 73.

[0089] Correspondingly to the processing of the mobile phone 11, thepersonal computer 1 performs processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.8.

[0090] First, in step S81, when mail senders and subjects aretransmitted from the mobile phone 11, the CPU 21 receives them.Specifically, when mail senders and subjects are transmitted from thecommunication unit 73 of the mobile phone 11 via Bluetooth wirelesscommunication, the communication unit 27 receives them and supplies themto the RAM 23 for storage. In step S82, the CPU 21 reads the senders andsubjects stored in the RAM 23 and outputs them to the LCD 32 fordisplay. Thus, the mail senders and subjects transmitted from the mobilephone 11 are displayed on a window 91 in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

[0091] A user views this display and operates a pen to designate thesender or subject of one mail in the window 91 to select the mail. Then,in step S83, the CPU 21 stands by until a mail is selected. When a mailis selected, then in step S84, the CPU 21 notifies the mobile phone 11about the selected mail. Specifically, the CPU 21 controls thecommunication unit 27 to notify the mobile phone 11 of which mail wasdesignated (selected) by the user via Bluetooth wireless communication.

[0092] When the selected mail is informed, as discussed above, thecontent of the selected mail is transmitted from the mobile phone 11. Instep S85, the communication unit 27 receives the mail contenttransmitted from the mobile phone 11. The mail content is supplied tothe RAM 23 for storage. Then in step S86, the CPU 21 reads the mailcontent stored in the RAM 23, and outputs and displays it on the LCD 32to the right of the window 91 or at the position specified by the userusing the pen (the display position is detected from the output of thetablet 31).

[0093] In this way, the content of the selected mail is displayed on thewindow 92 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. In the example shown in FIG. 6,the content of the second mail in the window 91 (the mail whose senderis BBB and subject is bb), i.e., “Hello. The weather is nice today,isn't it?”, is displayed.

[0094] While mail content is transmitted to the personal computer 1 inthe foregoing description, for example, in a case where the mobile phone11 (or a PDA) includes a built-in video camera (not shown) and storescaptured stationary images or moving images in the storage unit 68, thestationary images or moving images may be sent to the personal computer1. FIG. 9 illustrates a display example on the LCD 32 of the personalcomputer 1 in such a case.

[0095] In this example, an image sent from the mobile phone 11 isdisplayed in a window 95. When the image is a moving image, this meansthat an image captured by the video camera of the mobile phone 11 isdisplayed on the LCD 32 in real time.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 6, in the present invention, when the mobilephone 11 is detected by the reader/writer 33, an icon 111 correspondingto the mobile phone 11 is displayed on the LCD 32 of the input displayunit 2. A user can use the icon 111 to instruct processing between thepersonal computer 1 and the mobile phone 11.

[0097] A process of the personal computer 1 for displaying the icon 111on the LCD 32 is described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.10.

[0098] The process shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 21 inparallel to the process shown in FIG. 4 when it is determined in step S1of FIG. 4 that the RF tag 72 of the mobile phone 11 is detected by thereader/writer 33.

[0099] In step S101, the CPU 21 of the personal computer 1 executes aprocess for identifying a reader/writer which detected a partner device.

[0100] Although one reader/writer 33 is provided in the example shown inFIG. 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of readers/writersmay be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 11, readers/writers 33-1through 33-4 are placed along the left vertical side 2-1, right verticalside 2-2, the upper horizontal side 2-3, and the lower horizontal side2-4 of the rectangular input display unit 2, respectively.Readers/writers 33-5 through 33-8 are further placed at the intersectionof the sides 2-1 and 2-3, the intersection of the sides 2-1 and 2-4, theintersection of the sides 2-2 and 2-3, and the intersection of the sides2-2 and 2-4, respectively. Readers/writers 33-9 and 33-10 are furtherplaced at substantially the center on the upper and lower surfaces ofthe input display unit 2, respectively.

[0101] In step S101, the CPU 21 determines which reader/writer of thereaders/writers 33-1 through 33-10 (hereinafter referred to simply as areader/writer 33 unless it is necessary to individually identify thereaders/writers 33-1 through 33-10) detected the partner device.

[0102] Then, in step S102, the CPU 21 determines a vector directed tothe center of the LCD 32 from the reader/writer 33 identified in stepS101 or a vector which is directed vertically to the side most adjacentto that reader/writer 33 and which passes through that reader/writer 33.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 11, vectors V1 through V10respectively corresponding to the readers/writers 33-1 through 33-10 aredetermined.

[0104] The vectors V1 through V4 are vectors vertical to the sides 2-1through 2-4 and passing through the readers/writers 33-1 through 33-4,respectively.

[0105] The vectors V5 through V8 are vectors which pass through thereaders/writers 33-5 through 33-8, respectively, and which are directedto the center of the LCD 32.

[0106] The vectors V9 and V10 are vectors which pass through thereaders/writers 33-9 and 33-10 and which are directed downwards andupwards with respect to the LCD 32, respectively.

[0107]FIG. 12 illustrates the orientations of the vectors V1 through V10in a simpler fashion.

[0108] Then, in step S103, the CPU 21 causes a graphic symbol (icon)corresponding to the detected partner device to be displayed so as tomove along the vector determined in step S102.

[0109]FIGS. 13 through 18 illustrate a display example of this case. Inthis example, as shown in FIG. 13, the mobile phone 11 is approachingthe reader/writer 33-1 from the left side of the side 2-1. In thisarrangement of the mobile phone 11, the reader/writer 33-1 is the mostadjacent reader/writer (which out puts the strongest signal). Therefore,the vector V1 is determined. Along the vector V1 (FIG. 11), the CPU 21causes the icon 111 to be displayed so as to gradually appear from theside 2-1. As is apparent from FIGS. 13 through 18, the icon 111 does notappear in the first state, portions of the icon 111 appearingstep-by-step, and finally does appear. After the entirety appears, theicon 111 further moves to the center of the LCD 32 along the vector V1.

[0110] In step S104, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the devicetype of the partner device has been determined. As discussed above, theCPU 21 obtains the identification number of the partner device in stepS3 of FIG. 4. A user registers devices communicating with the personalcomputer 1 in the personal computer 1 in advance. Therefore, the storageunit 26 of the personal computer 1 has a table of device types ofpartner devices which the user communicates with stored in advance. TheCPU 21 refers to the table to determine the device type of the partnerdevice from the identification number (for example, the mobile phonemodel number).

[0111] If it is determined in-step S104 that the device type of thepartner device has been determined, then in step S105, the CPU 21determines whether or not an icon corresponding to the determined devicehas been stored in the storage unit 26. As discussed above, when a userregisters his device in the personal computer 1 beforehand, the CPU 21causes the corresponding icon to this device type to be stored incorrespondence with the identification number of the device. Forexample, when the partner device is a mobile phone having a certainmodel number, a mobile phone icon corresponding to that model number isstored; when the partner device is a PDA having a certain model number,a PDA icon corresponding to that model number is stored.

[0112] If the partner device is a device registered in advance,therefore, the corresponding icon has been stored. In this case, theprocess proceeds from step S105 to step S106, in which the CPU 21modifies the icon displayed in step S103 to the registered icon.

[0113] In other words, the icon (graphic symbol) initially shown in stepS103 indicates that a certain partner device has been detected and iscommonly used for all partner devices. This icon is expressed as asimple contour line (profile line) of, for example, an electronicdevice.

[0114] The icon expressed as a line is modified to an icon correspondingto the actual device shape, structure, or the like in step S106. Thishelps the user determine that the personal computer 1 correctlyidentifies the device.

[0115] Since the partner device is a device registered in advance, iconsindicating specific device characteristics such as shapes and colorshave been registered. An icon corresponding to that device type is readfrom the storage unit 26 for display.

[0116] In this case, therefore, for example, mobile phones havingdifferent device types (model numbers) are represented as differenticons.

[0117] When the identification number contains information foridentifying the device type, the device type can be determined based onthe read identification number without pre-registration of that device.However, since the device itself has not been registered in this case,an icon corresponding to the device type has not been stored. In such acase, even if the device type is successfully determined, an iconcorresponding to the device type has not been stored, and the processproceeds to step S107. If it is determined in step S104 that the devicetype has not been determined, the process also proceeds to step S107.

[0118] In step S107, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the categoryhas been determined even if the type of the partner device is notsuccessfully determined. That is, the category of the partner device,such as a mobile phone or a PDA, is determined in this step. If thepartner device has not been registered beforehand, in some cases, thecategory of the partner device can be determined from the identificationnumber. In such cases, the process proceeds to step S108, in which theCPU 21 determines whether or not an icon corresponding to the categoryof the partner device has been stored. If the icon corresponding to thecategory of the partner device has been stored, then in step S109, theCPU 21 modifies the icon displayed in step S103 to the iconcorresponding to the category of the partner device. The displayed iconsfor, for example, mobile phones are the same regardless of the types ofmobile phones. Different types of PDAs are represented as a common PDAicon.

[0119] If it is determined in step S107 that the category of the partnerdevice is not successfully determined either, or if it is determined instep S108 that, although the category is successfully determined, anicon corresponding to this category has not been stored, then in stepS110, the CPU 21 modifies the icon displayed in step S103 to a commonicon commonly used for all partner devices.

[0120] After icon modification in step S106, S109, or S110, when theuser performs a predetermined operation using the modified icon, the CPU21 accepts the operation. In other words, although the icon displayed instep S103 (the icon before the modification processing of step S106,S109, or S110) has the ability to cause the personal computer 1 toinform the user of a detected partner device, the icon cannot actuallybe used to instruct the personal computer 1 to execute predeterminedprocessing.

[0121] On the other hand, when the user operates the icon modified instep S106, S109, or S110, the CPU 21 accepts the operation to executeprocessing corresponding to the operation.

[0122]FIGS. 19 through 23 illustrate a display example in which apartner device is detected by the reader/writer 33-9 or 33-10 shown inFIG. 11. In this display example, the icon is displayed so as to becomedark step-by-step. In this example, the display state changes stepwisewhile the display position is fixed.

[0123] It is noted that icon display along the vector V9 gives animpression as if the icon was falling.

[0124] Since the reader/writer 33 detects the RF tag 72 usingelectromagnetic induction, the reader/writer 33 cannot detect thepartner device unless the partner device is sufficiently adjacent to thereader/writer 33. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1 where thereader/writer 33 is placed only at the position facing the left side 2-1of the LCD 32, the reader/writer 33 cannot detect a partner device whichis placed adjacent to the right side 2-2, the upper side 2-3, or thelower side 2-4. Preferably, for example, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B,a rectangular marker 131 (FIG. 24A) or a circular marker 141 (FIG. 24B)is printed or affixed to the position at which the reader/writer 33 islocated so as to allow the user to clearly recognize the position. Thisenables the user to place the partner device adjacent to the edge 2-1without confusion.

[0125] However, in a case where the icon 111 is displayed so as to movealong a vector from a particular side to the center of the LCD 32 in themanner shown in FIGS. 13 through 18, the user can recognize the positionof the reader/writer 33 without a printed or affixed marker.

[0126] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 18, in which the icon111 is displayed so as to gradually appear from the side 2-1, the usercan easily recognize the reader/writer 33 is adjacent to the side 2-1.

[0127] Furthermore, when the icon 112 is displayed so as to graduallyappear from the side 2-i (i=1, 2, 3, or 4), the user can easilyrecognize the correspondence between the displayed icon and the actualpartner device corresponding to the icon.

[0128] For example, as shown in FIG. 25, when the mobile phone 11 isdetected by the reader/writer 33, the icon 111 may be displayedinstantly at a predetermined position (in the example shown in FIG. 25,the center), not in such a manner that a part of the icon 111 graduallyappears from the side 2-4 and finally the entirety is displayed.

[0129] However, as shown in, for example, FIG. 26, when a second mobilephone 11-2 is placed close to the reader/writer 33 while an icon 111-1corresponding to a first mobile phone 11-1 is being displayed, if anicon 111-2 corresponding to the second mobile phone 11-2 is alsoinstantly displayed, it is difficult for a user to identify which iconof the icon 111-1 and the icon 111-2 corresponds to the second mobilephone 11-2. In order to identify both icons, the user must keep his eyesfocused on the display so as not to miss the moment at which the icon111-2 is added to the displayed icon 111-1.

[0130] This drawback becomes more serious when the icon 111-1 and theicon 111-2 are substantially the same image icons.

[0131] In the present invention, on the other hand, when the second icon111-2 is displayed so as to move from the side 2-4 over time, a user canmore easily recognize that the icon 111-2 corresponds to the secondmobile phone 11-2. As discussed above, there is no need for the partnerdevice to be adjacent to the reader/writer 33 once the correspondingicon is displayed (after a communication link is set up), and thereforethe position of the icon does not necessarily correspond to the positionof the corresponding partner device.

[0132] For example, if the first icon 111-1 is displayed to the left andthe second icon 111-2 is displayed to the right, the first mobile phone11-1 is not necessarily placed to the left with respect to the secondmobile phone 11-2.

[0133] This case also enables a user to easily recognize which iconcorresponds to the second mobile phone 11-2.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 27, furthermore, when the user places the mobilephone 11-1 adjacent to the reader/writer 33-1 and the second mobilephone 11-2 adjacent to the reader/writer 33-4 at the same time, the icon111 corresponding to the earlier detected mobile phone is displayed onthe LCD 32. Assuming that the icon 111 is displayed at the centerinstantly, it is difficult for the user to recognize which mobile phoneof the mobile phones 11-1 and 11-2 corresponds to the icon 111.

[0135] In the present invention, on the other hand, the icon 111 isdisplayed so as to gradually appear from the side 2-1 or 2-4, thusallowing the user to recognize the icon 111 correspond to the mobilephone 11-1 when the icon 111 is displayed so as to gradually appear fromthe side 2-1, and recognize the icon 111 correspond to the mobile phone11-2 when the icon 111 is displayed so as to gradually appear from theside 2-4.

[0136] While the reader/writer 33 is placed near the outer periphery ofthe LCD 32 in the foregoing description, the present invention can beapplied to the case where the reader/writer 33 is sufficiently distantfrom the LCD 32. Examples of this case are described below.

[0137]FIG. 28 illustrates a notebook personal computer 201. The notebookpersonal computer 201 includes a main body 202 and a display unit 203rotatable with respect to the main body 202. Readers/writers 33-21 and33-22 are placed near the left and right edges of the main body 202.When the mobile phone 11 is placed adjacent to the reader/writer 33-21,an icon is displayed so as to move along a vector V211 across thereader/writer 33-21 and vertical to the side 203-4 of the four sides203-1 through 203-4 of the display unit 203 which is the closest to thereader/writer 33-21.

[0138] Likewise, when the mobile phone 11 is placed adjacent to thereader/writer 33-22, an icon is displayed so as to move along a vectorV212 vertical to the side 203-4 and across the reader/writer 33-22.

[0139]FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a desktop personal computer 231.In this example, a reader/writer 33-31 is placed on a board 242, and areader/writer 33-32 is placed on a keyboard 241. Out of the four sides243-1 through 243-4 of a CRT 243, the side 243-4 is the closest to thereaders/writers 33-31 and 33-32. Thus, when the mobile phone 11 isplaced adjacent to the reader/writer 33-31, an icon is displayed so asto gradually appear from the side 243-4 along a vector V251 across thereader/writer 33-31 and vertical to the side 243-4. When the mobilephone 11 is placed adjacent to the reader/writer 33-32, an icon isdisplayed so as to gradually appear from the side 243-4 along a vectorV252 across the reader/writer 33-32 and vertical to the side 243-4.

[0140] In the example shown in FIG. 30, a reader/writer 33-41 is placedon the top surface of a television receiver 261. Thus, when a remotecommander 260 having an RF tag is placed adjacent to the reader/writer33-41, an icon is displayed so as to gradually appear from the side262-3 along a vector 281 vertical to the side 262-3 of the four sides262-1 through 261-4 of a display unit 262 of the television receiver 261which is the closest to the reader/writer 33-41.

[0141] Another reader/writer 33-42 is formed on a board 271 distant fromthe television receiver 261. When the remote commander 260 is placedadjacent to the reader/writer 33-42, an icon is displayed along a vectorV282 across the reader/writer 33-42 and vertical to the side 262-4closest to the reader/writer 33-42.

[0142] In this case, actually, the vector V282 is a vector passingthrough the display unit 262, but is calculated as a vector across adisplay unit of the display unit 262.

[0143] Thus, in this case, the icon is displayed so as to appearstepwise from the side 262-4 and gradually move upwards (towards theside 262-3).

[0144] Accordingly, the partner device is not limited to a mobile phone,and may be, for example, the remote commander 260 operated to inputvarious commands to the television receiver 261, as shown in the exampleof FIG. 30.

[0145] In the example shown in FIG. 31, set-top boxes 292-1 through292-3 are placed at the lower, upper, and left sides of the televisionreceiver 261, respectively. Although three set-top boxes 292-1 through292-3 (referred to simply as a set-top box 292 unless it is necessary toindividually identify them) are shown in FIG. 31, in practice, the threeset-top boxes are not placed at the same time and one set-top box isplaced at any of the positions.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 32, readers/writers 33-51 and 33-52 are placedon the top and front surfaces of the set-top box 292, respectively.

[0147] Thus, when a remote commander 290 for outputting signalswirelessly to the set-top box 292 is placed adjacent to the set-top box292-1 (the set-top box 292-1 which is placed on a board 291 below thetelevision receiver 261), an icon is displayed so as to move upwardsalong a vector V301-1 across the set-top box 292-1 and vertical to theside 262-4 closest to the set-top box 292-1.

[0148] When the remote commander 290 is placed adjacent to the set-topbox 292-2 placed on the top surface of the television receiver 261, anicon is displayed so as to move downwards along a vector V301-2 acrossthe set-top box 292-2 and vertical to the side 262-3 closest to theset-top box 292-2.

[0149] When the remote commander 290 is approaching the set-top box292-3 placed on a board 293 to the left of the television receiver 261,an icon is displayed so as to appear stepwise from the side 262-1 alonga vector V301-3 across the set-top box 292-3 and vertical to the side262-1 closest to the set-top box 292-3.

[0150] In the example shown in FIG. 31, another reader/writer 33-53 isplaced on the board 271 distant from the television receiver 261.However, the remote commander 290 is not the same as a remote commanderof the television receiver 261 shown in the example of FIG. 30, but is aremote commander of the set-top box 292. Thus, when the remote commander290 is placed adjacent to the reader/writer 33-53 on the board 271, anicon is displayed not along the vector V281 shown in FIG. 30 but alongany of the vectors V301-1 through V301-3. Which vector the icon movesalong is defined based on the position of the set-top box 292.Therefore, the icon is displayed in a similar manner to the case wherethe remote commander 290 is placed adjacent to any of the set-top boxes292-1 through 292-3.

[0151] Although the foregoing description has been made in the contextof a mobile phone and a remote commander as the partner device, thepresent invention can also be applied to a PDA (Personal DigitalAssistants) or any other device.

[0152] The present invention is also applicable to informationprocessing apparatuses other than personal computers and televisionreceivers.

[0153] The icon may be modified in color or brightness (luminance)rather than in shape or density.

[0154] In the foregoing description, a terminal at the other end of aBluetooth communication link is identified based on identificationinformation (for example, a network address) stored in the RF tag 72 ofthe mobile phone 11; however, if the mobile phone 11 does not includethe RF tag 72, the partner communication terminal can also be identifiedby controlling the output power of radio waves from the communicationunit 73 used as a wireless module (Bluetooth module).

[0155] A communication system for identifying a partner communicationterminal by controlling the output power of radio waves output from awireless module is described below.

[0156]FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example structure of acommunication system for identifying a partner communication terminal bycontrolling the output power of radio waves.

[0157] Although this example is described in the context ofcommunication between the personal computer 1 and a PDA 501, if the PDA501 is replaced by the mobile phone 11, a similar effect can beobtained.

[0158] For example, for identifying a Bluetooth communication partnerand setting up a communication link with this partner, first, the PDA501 reduces the output power of a communication module 511 to theminimum so that radio waves are emitted only within a range of, forexample, several centimeters. In a power-saving mode in which the outputpower of radio waves is reduced, the communication module 511 repeats an“inquiry” procedure to search for a terminal within a range (forexample, a range of several centimeters) covered by the radio waves. InBluetooth communication, an “inquiry” phase is specified for searchingfor other Bluetooth terminals within a radio-wave coverage, and a “page”phase is specified for setting up a communication link (synchronization)with a terminal detected in the inquiry phase.

[0159] When a user places the PDA 501 near or on the personal computer 1and radio waves emitted by the communication module 511 are received bythe communication unit 27 (wireless module) of the personal computer 1,the inquiry is responded by the communication unit 27, so that theabove-described inquiry and paging (invocation) operations are performedbetween the communication module 511 and the communication unit 27 toestablish a communication link therebetween. The establishedcommunication link is effective in a very small range covered by theradio waves from the communication module 511 which is in thepower-saving mode.

[0160] Thus, the communication module 511 disconnects the communicationlink so as to allow for communication with the communication unit 27even if they are distant to some extent, and again establish acommunication link with the communication unit 27 based on thepreviously obtained information (information obtained in the inquiry andpaging procedures during the short-range communication) after the powermode of the communication module 511 is changed from the power-savingmode to the normal power mode.

[0161] The re-established communication link is effective in aradio-wave coverage of, for example, several ten meters, which is asbroad as a normal coverage in Bluetooth communication, thus allowing forBluetooth communication even if the distance between the personalcomputer 1 and the PDA 501 is sufficiently long.

[0162] As discussed above, unless the PDA 501 includes an RF tagcontaining a network address, the output power of the communicationmodule is controlled, thereby setting up Bluetooth communication once auser places the PDA 501 adjacent to the personal computer 1.

[0163] In a case where the power mode of the communication module 511can be switched seamlessly, the power mode may be switched from thepower-saving mode to the normal power mode without disconnection of thecommunication link established in the power-saving mode.

[0164]FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing an example structure of the PDA501 shown in FIG. 33.

[0165] The PDA 501 has basically a similar structure to the structure ofthe mobile phone 11 shown in FIG. 3, except that it does not include thecommunication unit 69 (which is a communication module for communicationover a telephone communication), the microphone 70, the speaker 71, andthe RF tag 72, and a detailed description of the overlapping portions isomitted, if appropriate.

[0166] A CPU 521 controls the overall operation of the PDA 501 accordingto, for example, a program extended from a ROM 522 to a RAM 523, and, asdescribed above, controls the output power of radio waves from thecommunication module 511 according to the communication status.

[0167]FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a detailed example structure ofthe communication module 511 shown in FIG. 34.

[0168] A wireless controller 541 controls a changeover switch 544 toconnect a switch 544A to a contact “a” when information is transmittedfrom the communication module 511 to an external terminal, and toconnect the switch 544A to a contact “b” when information sent from anexternal terminal is received. The wireless controller 541 also controlsthe gain of a power amp 545 based on control of the CPU 521 via a bus524 and an input/output interface 525 to control the range (outputpower) covered by the radio waves radiated from an antenna 547.

[0169] More specifically, when the power-saving mode is instructed bythe CPU 521, the wireless controller 541 controls the gain of the poweramp 545 to minimize the range covered by the radio waves radiated fromthe antenna 547. On the other hand, when a partner communicationterminal is identified and switching from the power-saving mode to thenormal power mode is instructed, the wireless controller 541 controlsthe gain of the power amp 545 to increase the range covered by theoutput radio waves.

[0170] A baseband controller 542 controls a baseband signal oftransmission and received signals. A modulation/demodulation processor543 GFSK modulates or spreads the output of the baseband controller 542based on the hopping frequency, and outputs the resulting signal fromthe antenna 547 via the power amp 545. The modulation/demodulationprocessor 543 also de-spreads or GFSK demodulates the output of an LNA(Low Noise Amplifier), and outputs the resulting signal to the basebandcontroller 542.

[0171] The structure of the personal computer 1 is similar to thestructure shown in FIG. 2, and a description thereof is omitted. In thecommunication system shown in FIG. 33, the personal computer 1 need notinclude the reader/writer 33 shown in FIG. 2.

[0172] The operation of the communication system shown in FIG. 33 isdescribed below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 36. In thisexample, the operation of identifying a Bluetooth communication partnerand setting up communication is described.

[0173] For example, when Bluetooth communication is instructed by auser, the communication module 511 is activated under the control fromthe CPU 521 to set the power mode thereof to the power-saving mode instep S201. In step S202, the communication module 511 repeats theinquiry procedure to search for an adjacent terminal. During the inquiryperformed in step S202, since the power-saving mode is set and theradio-wave coverage is reduced to the minimum, IQ packets (inquirypackets) are repeatedly broadcasted to a range of, for example, severalcentimeters from the antenna 547.

[0174] Meanwhile, in step S211, the communication unit 27 of thepersonal computer 1 repeats an inquiry scan and a page scan, and standsby until the inquiry and paging procedures are requested from anotherterminal.

[0175] When a user places the PDA 501 adjacent to the personal computer1 and the communication unit 27 of the personal computer 1 is present inthe range covered by the radio waves from the communication module 511of the PDA 501, an IQ packet broadcasted from the communication module511 is received by the communication unit 27 in step S222.

[0176] When the IQ packet broadcasted from the communication module 511is received, then in step S223, in response, the communication unit 27transmits an FHS packet to the communication module 511. The FHS packetincludes attribute information of the personal computer 1 (Bluetoothslave), such as information indicating the Bluetooth address andBluetooth clock of the personal computer 1.

[0177] When the FHS packet transmitted from the communication unit 27 isreceived in step S203, then in step S204, the communication module 511issues a connection request to the communication unit 27.

[0178] Specifically, an ID packet is transmitted from the communicationmodule 511 to the communication unit 27. When the same ID packet as thatID packet is returned to the communication module 511 from thecommunication unit 27, an FHS packet including the Bluetooth address andBluetooth clock of the communication module 511 is transmitted from thecommunication module 511 to the communication unit 27.

[0179] When the FHS packet transmitted from the communication module 511is received by the communication unit 27 in step S224, synchronizationin frequency (frequency hopping pattern) and time (time slot) is set upbetween the communication module 511 and the communication unit 27, sothat a data link (communication link) is established therebetween (state1).

[0180] For example, when an initial Bluetooth data link is establishedbetween the communication unit 27 and the communication module 511, thenin step S205, the communication module 511 transmits a PIN (PersonalIdentification Number) code to the communication unit 27 for mutualauthentication. The PIN code transmitted from the communication module511 is received by the communication unit 27 in step S225, and, then,various link keys are set up between the communication module 511 andthe communication unit 27 based on the PIN code, random number, and soon. The PIN code may be encrypted using a public key supplied from thecommunication unit 27 to the communication module 511 before it istransmitted and received. In this case, the communication unit 27manages a secret key corresponding to the public key supplied to thecommunication module 511. This improves the security with more reliableBluetooth communication only between the personal computer 1 and the PDA501.

[0181] Since the thus established communication link is effective in arange of several centimeters covered by the radio waves from thecommunication module 511 which is in the power-saving mode, thecommunication module 511 requests the communication unit 27 totemporarily disconnect the data link in step S206 in order to switch thepower mode so as to allow communication with the communication unit 27even if they are distant to some extent. The information obtained fromthe previous processing, such as the Bluetooth address and PIN code ofthe communication unit 27, is stored in the communication module 511.

[0182] The communication unit 27 which receives the request in step S226stores the information obtained from the previously processing, such asthe Bluetooth address and PIN code of the communication module 511, likethe communication module 511, and disconnects the data link (state 2).

[0183] In step S207, the communication module 511 sets the power mode,in which the output power is controlled, to the normal power mode underthe control from the CPU 521 in order to again establish a data linkwith the communication unit 27. Thus, the Bluetooth radio waves from thecommunication module 511 can cover a range of, for example, several tenmeters.

[0184] Then in step S208, the communication module 511 identifies thepersonal computer 1 as the partner communication terminal based on theinformation stored immediately before the disconnection of the datalink, and issues a connection request to the communication unit 27.

[0185] In step S227, the request is received by the communication unit27, and a connection is set up between both terminals, so that a datalink is established between the communication module 511 and thecommunication unit 27. That is, Bluetooth communication can be performedin a range of, for example, several ten meters, covered by the radiowaves from the communication module 511 which is in the normal powermode (state 3).

[0186] In the way discussed above, the communication system shown inFIG. 33 which identifies an adjacent terminal as the partnercommunication terminal is applied to an information processing systemformed of the personal computer 1 and mobile phone 11 shown in FIG. 1,and an icon indicating the adjacent terminal is displayed on the LCD 32of the personal computer 1 according to its orientation (vector).

[0187] As shown in FIG. 37, the communication units 27-1 through 27-10are placed so as to correspond to the readers/writers 33-1 through 33-10arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 11.

[0188] Based on any of the communication units 27-1 through 27-10 whichdetects the communication module 511 (the communication unit 73 of themobile phone 11) of the PDA 501 which is in the power-saving mode, orbased on any communication unit which executes the process shown in FIG.36 with respect to the communication module 511 to establish acommunication link, the vector indicating the moving direction of thePDA 501 is determined to control display of an icon representing the PDA501 displayed on the LCD 32 (control the direction in which the iconmoves).

[0189] Communication units (wireless modules) may also be placed so asto correspond to the readers/writers 33-21 and 33-22 of the notebookpersonal computer 201 shown in FIG. 28, the readers/writers 33-21 and33-22 of the desktop personal computer 231 shown in FIG. 29, thereaders/writers 33-41 and 33-42 placed on the television receiver 261and the board 271 shown in FIG. 30, and the readers/writers 33-51through 33-53 placed on the board 271 and the set-top boxes 292-1through 292-3 shown in FIG. 31, in order to execute the process shown inFIG. 36 with respect to a communication module of an adjacent mobilephone or remote controller to identify the communication unit with whichthe communication link is established, thereby determining the vector ofthe mobile phone or the remote controller to control icon displayaccording to the vector orientation.

[0190] The output power of the radio waves can be controlled in theabove-described way to identify a partner communication terminal todetect the side to which the partner terminal is adjacent, therebyachieving the desirable user interface.

[0191] The series of the above-described operations may be executed bysoftware. In this case, a problem constituting the software is installedfrom a network or a recording medium to a computer incorporated indedicated hardware or, for example, a general-purpose personal computercapable of executing various functions by installing various programs.

[0192] This recording medium is formed of not only a packaged media suchas, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic disc 41 (including a floppy disk),optical disc 42 (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) andDVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical disc 43. (including an MD(Mini-Disk)), or semiconductor memory 44 having a program recordedtherein, which is distributed separately from the apparatus to offer theprogram to users, but also the ROM 22 having a program recorded therein,which is offered to users as is incorporated in the apparatus in advanceor a hard disk contained in the storage unit 26.

[0193] Industrial Applicability

[0194] According to the present invention, therefore, when an electronicdevice is placed adjacent, an icon corresponding to the electronicdevice is displayed with the position, color, or brightness changingover time, thus allowing reliable recognition of the communicatingelectronic device.

[0195] According to the present invention, furthermore, an icon ismodified when communication with an electronic device is set up, thusallowing a user to reliably determine the timing of executing processingwith respect to the electronic device using the icon to achieve a betteruser interface.

1-15. (Canceled)
 16. An information processing apparatus for displayingan icon corresponding to an electronic device on a display unit and forperforming a predetermined process with respect to the electronic deviceusing the icon, said information processing apparatus comprising: one ora plurality of detection means for detecting that the electronic deviceis adjacent thereto; vector determination means for, when the detectionmeans detects the electronic device adjacent thereto, determining avector directed towards the center of the display unit from the positioncorresponding to the detection means which detects the electronicdevice; and display means for displaying the icon corresponding to theelectronic device in a moving manner along the vector determined by thevector determination means.
 17. An information processing apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the display means displays the icon so asto shift the position of the icon along a line towards the inside of thedisplay unit from a side of the display unit.
 18. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the display meansdisplays the icon so as to move along a line across the electronicdevice and vertical to one of the four sides of the display unit that issubstantially rectangular, said side being the closest to the detectionmeans.
 19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 16,further comprising communication means for setting up communication withthe electronic device when the detection means detects the electronicdevice adjacent thereto, wherein the display means modifies display ofthe icon when the communication means sets up communication with theelectronic device.
 20. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 16, further comprising identification means for identifying theelectronic device when the detection means detects the electronic deviceadjacent thereto.
 21. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein the identification means obtains identificationinformation from the electronic device to determine the device type orcategory of the electronic device based on the identificationinformation.
 22. An information processing apparatus according to claim19, wherein the detection means includes a reader/writer whichcommunicates with an RF tag of the electronic device via electromagneticinduction, and the communication means performs short-range wirelesscommunication with the electronic device.
 23. An information processingapparatus according to claim 19, wherein the detection means detects theelectronic device using Bluetooth communication in a power-saving modein which a device is searched for to specify a partner.
 24. Aninformation processing method for an information processing apparatusfor displaying an icon corresponding to an electronic device on adisplay unit and for performing a predetermined process with respect tothe electronic device using the icon, said information processing methodcomprising: a detection step of detecting that the electronic device isadjacent using one or a plurality of detection units; a vectordetermination step of, when the adjacent electronic device is detectedby performing the detection step, determining a vector directed towardsthe center of the display unit from the position corresponding to thedetection unit which detects the electronic device; and a display stepof displaying the icon corresponding to the electronic device in amoving manner along the vector determined by performing the vectordetermination step.
 25. An information processing apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting an electronic device adjacent thereto;display means for displaying an icon corresponding to the electronicdevice when the detection means detects the electronic device adjacentthereto; communication means for setting up communication with theelectronic device when the detection means detects the electronic deviceadjacent thereto; and modification means for modifying the icon when thecommunication means sets up communication with the electronic device.26. An information processing apparatus according to claim 25, furthercomprising identification means for identifying the electronic devicewhen the detection means detects the electronic device adjacent thereto.27. An information processing apparatus according to claim 26, whereinthe identification means obtains identification information from theelectronic device to determine the device type or category of theelectronic device based on the identification information.
 28. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein thedetection means includes a reader/writer which communicates with an RFtag of the electronic device via electromagnetic induction, and thecommunication means performs short-range wireless communication with theelectronic device.
 29. An information processing method comprising: adetection step of detecting an adjacent electronic device; a displaystep of displaying an icon corresponding to the electronic device whenthe adjacent electronic device is detected by performing the detectionstep; a communication step of setting up communication with theelectronic device when the adjacent electronic device is detected byperforming the detection step; and a modification step of modifying theicon when communication with the electronic device is set up byperforming the communication step.
 30. An information processingapparatus for displaying an icon corresponding to an electronic deviceon a display unit and for performing a predetermined process withrespect to the electronic device using the icon, said informationprocessing apparatus comprising: detection means for detecting that theelectronic device is adjacent thereto; and display means for displayingthe icon corresponding to the electronic device in a moving manner whenthe detection means detects the electronic device adjacent thereto. 31.An information processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein thedisplay means displays the icon so as to shift the position of the iconalong a line from a side of the display unit.
 32. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the display meansdisplays a portion of the icon and then displays the entirety of theicon.
 33. An information processing apparatus according to claim 30,further comprising communication means for setting up communication withthe electronic device when the detection means detects the electronicdevice adjacent thereto, wherein the display means modifies display ofthe icon when the communication means sets up communication with theelectronic device.
 34. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 30, wherein the detection means includes a reader/writer whichcommunicates with an RF tag of the electronic device via electromagneticinduction.
 35. An information processing apparatus according to claim30, wherein the detection means detects the electronic device usingBluetooth communication in a power-saving mode in which a device issearched for to specify a partner.
 36. An information processingapparatus according to claim 30, further comprising identification meansfor identifying the electronic device when the detection means detectsthe electronic device adjacent thereto.
 37. An information processingapparatus according to claim 36, wherein the identification meansobtains identification information from the electronic device todetermine the device type or category of the electronic device based onthe identification information.
 38. An information processing method foran information processing apparatus for displaying an icon correspondingto an electronic device on a display unit and for performing apredetermined process with respect to the electronic device using theicon, said information processing method comprising: a detection step ofdetecting that the electronic device is adjacent; and a display step ofdisplaying the icon corresponding to the electronic device in a movingmanner when the adjacent electronic device is detected by performing thedetection step.